James Rodriguez has been linked with a move to the Premier League. (Picture: Getty)

Real Madrid winger Lucas Vázquez has urged James Rodriguez to stay at the club amid intense transfer speculation.

James, who has been hotly tipped to leave the Santiago Bernabeu stadium and head to the Premier League, has angered Real Madrid officials with a series of outbursts after struggling to gain regular first team football.

However Vázquez, who has seemingly taken James’ spot in Zinedine Zidane’s first team plans, has urged his ‘good friend’ to stay at the club: ‘He’s a very good friend of mine and I hope that he stays. I have a lot of affection for him and he’s a really great player,’ he said.

Lucas Vazquez is desperate to keep James at Real Madrid. (Picture: Getty)

Rodriguez has earned 52 international caps for Colombia. (Picture: Getty)

James arrived at Real Madrid in a £63million move from AS Monaco in 2014 and the 25-year-old Colombian international will not be leaving in January, according to his agent Jorge Mendes who did his best to dampen speculation.